Patient information

Welcome to Queensland Eye Hospital

This patient information is designed to answer any questions you may have about your procedure or the hospital during your stay. Please feel free to discuss any queries or special needs with our staff and let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your stay with us more comfortable.

Please use the expand and collapse feature below to find out more

Preparing for your admission

Your surgeon’s rooms will provide you with written information about the procedure and preparation required for
the procedure you are about to undergo. It is important that you complete and return the Pre-Admission and
Consent Forms given to you by your Surgeon to the hospital. If you have not received any forms yet, please phone the hospital before your admission date. Alternatively, the form may be available in the 'Patient Forms' section of our website.

Be sure to confirm your level of cover with your health insurance fund and ensure that your contributions are up
to date.

A member of our staff will contact you at least one working day prior to your procedure, to confirm hospital admission
time, fasting time and any other preparations necessary for your surgery. Please use this opportunity to discuss
any questions or concerns which you may have.

Important: You will also need to arrange for a carer to accompany you by private transport from the hospital and
to supervise you for 24 hours after your operation.

The day of your surgery

In order to avoid delays, please allow sufficient travel time. When you arrive for your appointment please present
yourself to our friendly reception staff who will confirm your details and ensure all appropriate paperwork is
completed before you meet with the nurses. The pre-operative nurses will then assist you in preparing for your
procedure.

How to prepare on the day of your surgery:

Shower before arriving at the Hospital

Wear loose, comfortable clothes (preferably front opening)

No jewellery or valuables except for wedding bands

No nail polish, make up or face cream

No perfume or aftershave

Do not smoke on the day of your surgery

What to bring on the day of your surgery:

Medicare Card

Health Fund Card

Pension card / Veterans Affairs card

Payment for your surgery or health fund excess

A list of current medications

Referral letter from your Surgeon

Reading glasses and glasses case for safekeeping, if appropriate

If you wear hearing aids or dentures, please bring the appropriate case for their safekeeping.

About your anaesthesia

Virtually all surgical procedures require some form of anaesthesia however we understand that this can be an
anxious time. We would like to reassure that you are in good hands. Anaesthetists in Australia are specialists in
administering anaesthesia, as well as pain control, resuscitation and managing medical emergencies.

Your Anaesthetist will see you before the procedure, allowing you the opportunity to discuss any concerns. It is
important that you disclose everything that you think is relevant, and also to follow the fasting instructions. Your
Anaesthetist will monitor you during and after surgery to ensure a smooth and trouble-free recovery.

The use of new surgical techniques combined with modern anaesthesia results in more rapid recovery – making
day surgery preferable to overnight hospitalisation. Anaesthesia can be administered in several ways.

Types of Anaesthesia:

Widely used techniques include the following:

Local/Regional: An injection around or behind the surgical site is administered prior to surgery to cause numbness to a large part of the body. It will not leave a scar as a very fine needle is used; however, the puncture site may have some bruising, redness or swelling, which usually heals in a few days.

Benefits of Local Anaesthesia

Avoids the risks of a general anaesthetic

Nausea and vomiting after surgery are uncommon

More rapid recovery

Generally, postoperative pain or discomfort is minimal

Eating and drinking can be resumed soon after surgery.

IV Sedation: Local anaesthetic may be combined with IV sedation. IV sedation is anti-anxiety drugs which are administered intravenously in order to make the patient feel relaxed and comfortable during the surgery.

General Anaesthesia: With general anaesthesia you are put into a state of pain free unconsciousness for the duration of the operation. This is achieved by injecting drugs and inhalation of gases. A breathing tube will be put into your windpipe

Topical Anaesthesia: Drops, sprays, ointments or gel are administered to numb the surface of the surgical site before and during the operation.

What are the risks of the anaesthetic?

Modern anaesthesia is generally very safe. Every anaesthetic has a risk of side effects and/or complications. The risk to you will depend on the length and complexity of your surgery and on personal factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, and whether you smoke or are overweight.

Common side effects and complications of anaesthesia may include:

Nausea or vomiting

Headache

Pain and/or bruising at injection sites

Sore or dry throat and lips

Blurred/ double vision and dizziness

Problems in passing urine

Preparing for your anaesthetic

It is very important not to eat, drink, or chew gum before your surgery. You will be told when to have your last meal and drink. If you eat or drink after that time, your operation maybe delayed or cancelled.

You are at less risk of problems from anaesthetic if you do the following:

Increase your fitness

Give up smoking

Carefully follow the fasting instructions given to you

Inform your anaesthetist if you are taking any blood thinning medication

Inform the anaesthetist if you are using recreational drugs as these may interfere with the anaesthetic

Going home after surgery

After the procedure:

You will be assisted into recovery where a nurse will monitor your progress

Once you are fully recovered you will be offered light refreshments and beverages

When you are ready to be discharged home from surgery, our nursing staff will contact your carer and provide directions to the discharge lounge

Both you and your carer will be provided with written and verbal details regarding post-operative care, emergency contact information, and details of any post-operative appointments that you may have.

You will then be handed over to your carer who will stay with you for the remainder of the day, and overnight.

You may receive a courtesy post-operative phone call from our nursing staff in the days following your procedure

Things for you to avoid after anaesthesia:

Do not drive or operate machinery

Do not have a heavy meal or drink alcohol

Do not conduct business or sign legal documents

You need a responsible adult to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours

Do not drive or travel alone. No matter how you feel, an escort is essential for your safety

Please note that if you do not have a carer your surgery will be cancelled and re-scheduled to a date when a carer is available to stay with you for 24 hours.

If you have any questions or concerns following the procedure, please contact our friendly staff

Settling your account

It is important to note that your fee for surgery with us cannot be claimed through Medicare.

Patients who are not covered by private health insurance or WorkCover are required to settle their account on the day of their procedure.

If you have agreed with your Health Fund to pay an excess or a co-payment, you will be asked to make this payment on the day of your admission. Please contact your Health Insurance provider prior to the procedure to check the coverage provided by your particular Health Fund.

You are only required to pay for the cost of the hospital facility fee on the day of your surgery. You may pay by cash, bank cheque, credit card or EFTPOS. If paying by EFTPOS please check prior to day of admission if you have a daily withdrawal limit as it may not be enough to cover full payment.

You will also receive separate accounts from

Your Surgeon

Your Anaesthetist

Pathology (if applicable)

Online Pre-Admission Form

As a patient of Queensland Eye Hospital, you have the option to complete your admission form online. Please click the following link to access our secure online health portal: https://www.preadmit.com.au/Patient/qeh

Patient forms

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